Cells Flashcards
Plasma Membrane
The cells flexible outer surface.
Cytoplasm
All cellular contents between the plasma membrane and the nucleus.
Cytosol
The fluid portion of cytoplasm. Also known as ICF (intracellular fluid).
Organelles
Little organs. Each organelle has a characteristic shape and specific functions.
Nucleus
A large organelle that houses most of a cell’s DNA.
Chromosome
A single molecule of DNA associated with several proteins.
Genes
Hereditary units that control most aspects of cellular structure and function.
Phospholipid
Structural framework of the plasma membrane. Two back-to-back layers of fat molecules that contain phosphorous. Head hydrophilic, tail hydrophobic.
Glycocalyx
A sugary coat formed by glycolipids and glycoproteins. Acts like a molecular signature.
Diffusion
A passive process in which the random mixing of particles in a solution occurs because of the particles kinetic energy.
Facilitated Diffusion
A passive process where an integral membrane protein assists a specific substance across the membrane.
Osmosis
A type of diffusion in which there is net movement of a solvent through a selectively permeable membrane.
Active Transport
An active transport where energy is required for carrier proteins to move solutes across the membrane.
Vesicle
A small, spherical sac organelle that transports substances from one structure to another within cells.
Endocytosis
An active process in which materials in a vesicle formed from the plasma membrane move INTO a cell.
Exocytosis
An active process in which materials in a vesicle formed by the plasma membrane move OUT of a cell.
Cytoskeleton
A network of protein filaments throughout the cytosol that contribute to the cells structure. Three types: microfilaments, intermediate filaments and microtubules.
Microvilli
Small fingerlike projections of the plasma membrane that greatly increase the surface area of the cell and increase absorption.
Cilia
A short hair like organelle that moves fluids along a cells’ surface.
Flagella
A much longer version of a cilium, but this organelle moves an entire cell. Only example: sperm.
Ribosomes
Organelles that are the sites of protein synthesis.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
A network of flattened membranes studded with ribosomes. Responsible for synthesis of glycoproteins.
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
A network of flattened membranes. Responsible for synthesis of fatty acids and steroids such as oestrogen and testosterone.
Golgi Complex
An organelle made of small, flattened membranous sacs. Modifies and packages proteins for secretion from cell or incorporation into lysosomes.
Lysosomes
Membrane enclosed vesicles that form from the Golgi complex. Contain powerful digestive enzymes that break down old organelles once fused with a vesicle during endocytosis.
Mitochondria
Powerhouse of the cell. These generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate) through reactions of aerobic cellular respiration.
Apoptosis
The orderly, genetically programmed death of a cell.
Nucleoli/Nucleolus
Spherical bodies inside the nucleus. Function is to produce ribosomes.
Chromatin
A complex of DNA, RNA and some proteins.
Transcription
A process that occurs in the nucleus where genetic information serves as a copying template for complementary sequences of codons.
Translation
A process in the nucleus where RNA attaches to a ribosome and is translated into a corresponding sequence of amino acids to form a new protein molecule.
DNA
Self-replicating organelle that carries genetic information.
RNA
A single stranded organelle that is essential in the coding, decoding, regulation and expression of genes.
Mitosis
Nuclear division of a cell.
Passive Transport
A type of membrane transport that doesn’t require energy to move substances across cell membranes.
Synapsis/crossing over
The pairing of two chromosomes that occurs during meiosis.
Nucleotide
Basic building blocks of DNA and RNA. Contains a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar and a phosphate.
Vesicular Transport
A membrane protein that regulates or facilitates movement of specific molecules across a vesicles’ membrane.
Diploid
A cell that has paired chromosomes, one from each parent.
Haploid
A cell that has a single set of chromosomes.
Meiosis
A special type of cell division that creates sex cells (gametes).
Nucleic Acid
Main information carrying cells. Determine the characteristics of the organism.
Phagocytosis
The process by which a cell uses its plasma membrane to engulf a large particle.
